Polytec PU 1000 is a single part adhesive which cures quickly at room temperature to a flexible, electrically conductive polymer. It can replace traditional epoxies which are rigid and require thermal processing, giving production efficiencies and enabling new applications where pliability and conductivity is important.

Polytec PU 1000 is an electrically conductive polyurethane which addresses applications in die attach, bonding of components in hybrid circuit applications and surface mount technology (SMT); areas where silver filled electrically conductive adhesives have been used for many decades. Usually such adhesives are epoxy-based, two-component or premixed and frozen single-component systems, but now the Polytec PU 1000 polyurethane option provides a flexible bond and cost saving and performance advantages in the production process when compared to a standard two-part conductive epoxy adhesive. There is the simplicity of one-part application without mixing and an indefinite pot life with rapid cure at room temperature, e.g. 10 minutes at 23°C compared to 15 minutes at 120°C for a typical two- part epoxy.

However, one significant disadvantage of epoxies is the high demand and overhead they place on the production process. The automated application of two-part adhesives requires suitable metering and mixing equipment; single-component, premixed and frozen adhesives require a sophisticated supply chain and storage to ensure an enduring temperature of at least -40°C. Another disadvantage of both these systems is the limited processing time (pot life) after mixing or thawing of the adhesive. After application, to obtain their optimum electrical and mechanical properties, traditional epoxies should be cured at elevated temperatures (typically at 120 – 150°C).

Seeking to provide a superior solution with both performance and process efficiency advantages, Intertronics and manufacturers Polytec PT have introduced the PU 1000 formulation, an electrically conductive, polyurethane-based adhesive which can be considered as a very interesting alternative to epoxy-based adhesives in various applications.

Polytec PU 1000 is a single-component, silver filled, paste adhesive, which can be both stored at room temperature and cured quickly at room temperature. It is flexible and elastic, which makes it ideal for bonding of flex-circuits, temperature-sensitive substrates or substrates with highly dissimilar coefficients of thermal expansion. It has found applications in smart cards and RFID circuitry, where cure can be effected in seconds. It may find interesting applications in wearable technology - clothing and accessories incorporating computer and advanced electronic technologies.

Performance of PU 1000 is considered excellent for the electrical contact of both active and passive components, especially when coupled with its ease of processing and high flexibility. The adhesive can be dispensed automatically or applied manually and has rheological properties which are particularly suitable for the requirements of the jet type dispensers. It is suitable for electrically conductive bonding and coating applications on absorbing substrates like fabric, paper, leather, cork and non-absorbing substrates like glass, ceramics, PMMA, metals and most plastics.

About Intertronics
Intertronics was established in 1979, originally to sell hand soldering consumables - not just as a distributor but as a proactive and reliable supplier. As the company's product range developed and its customer base grew, the company quickly began to earn an envied reputation. Intertronics understood its customers - their products, processes and needs.